weaving through the Summer
I’ve become obsessed
tiny four selvedge tapestries have taken over my life
(and my living room)
I finally have the required jig to warp the pipe loom
had to wait for son to start his holidays and drill the holes for the dowels
the secret to “no fringes” is to wind a top and bottom supplemental warp
which is removed when the weaving is finished
sounds like too much work??
I have asked myself that – several times
but the results are fun
measuring 3 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ it is mounted on a 8 inch artist’s frame
covered with a thin layer of quilt batting with handwoven linen fabric stretch tightly over the frame
the ink brushed circle is a common subject of Zen calligraphy
know as Enso
many enso paintings include a short text in prose or verse called “san”
and so I have included mine
“alone, I struggle to reach the stars”
a surprise has been the colour from dark purple hollyhocks
on the right is this year’s solar dyed wool
the sample from 2016 shows a much darker chocolate-brown
the plants are several years old and the blossoms are a lighter colour and smaller
maybe need to plant new ones
one of the fun/interesting things about natural dyeing is there are always surprises
and more to learn
many small skeins from 2016 will go into the next tapestry
trying to tidy things up!
hot off the loom – some rag weaving
log cabin structure – good for outdoor cushions
fabric from a dress, 2 different futon covers, an indigo dyed sheet and a damask linen tablecloth
Hello Jean, have you used goldenrod with solar dyeing? I was wondering should the flowers be simmered first? Thanks for all your inspirations, i love reading your posts.
LikeLike
Monike – hi! nice to hear from you, how are you doing? The point of solar dyeing is not to use direct heat – but I do sometimes after leaving it in the sun for a week/10 days, especially with bark (walnut) or roots. Usually get a darker colour. To test it put 2 small skeins in the solar dye and after the time remove 1 skein and simmer the other. I don’t have a supply of goldenrod.
LikeLike
You’ve certainly been a lot more productive than I have!
LikeLike
Louisa – just hoping that learning and doing will keep me active and fully functional. Visiting an elderly weaver once a week in a care home is a sobering experience.
LikeLike
so interesting. Thank you
LikeLike
Dawn – thank you for visiting.
LikeLike
I love the soft, muted colors that you can achieve from natural dyeing. I’ve been thinking of taking a tapestry class, and every time I see some unique tapestry piece, I’m tempted even more! Lovely weaving.
LikeLike
Judy – I’m enjoying Rebecca Mezoff’s online classes, the videos are excellent. Finding designing for tapestry a challenge.
LikeLike
I fancy trying 4 selvedge weaving but can’t get it sorted in my mind how you get all the warps at the same level, not the supplementary ones but the starting ones and I have checked on Sarah Swett’s blog. Love your little weaving and your plant dyed yarn.
LikeLike
Debbie – I can’t imagine doing the 4 selvedge weaving without watching Sarah’s videos over and over. I feel like a newbie again. And I’m enjoying using natural dyed handspun. It feels good to do something just for fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still learning and experimenting after all these years!
LikeLike
Kerry – that was the reason for starting this and at my age I’ll keep doing it as long as it is fun.
LikeLike